Opinions sought: older 300 A* f4 vs the FA 300 f5.6

texandrews · 06-02-2020, 07:18 AM

Reviews a little sparse (and some old) on this, wonder if there are opinions among users here. I have the former, but wondering about trading and acquiring the latter (for one thing, it has a foot, weird omission on the former...).

**SteveinSLC** · 06-02-2020, 07:35 AM

I have the A* 300. Certainly very happy with it. Typical A* construction. Metal, solid, and heavy. Butter smooth focusing action. Much smoother than my FA 400 is in manual mode. It doesn't have a tripod foot, so I purchased a Neewer long lens support.

I've never held an FA 300 so can't really compare, but if you don't need AF, I'd have no hesitation recommending the A*.

**barondla** · 06-02-2020, 08:22 AM

My FA 645 300 5.6 just arrived. As already mentioned there's no tripod foot. The lens is so small and light weight it may not need one. If it does there are options available. The FA 80-160 is heavier than this lens.

The biggest minus, for me, is the incompatibility with the 1.4X rear converter. I love the 300mm focal length on ff and crop cameras. Worried that it might seem a little short on 645. The 1.4X would fix that. The 300 f4 lenses all work with the converter, but weigh considerably more and are heavy for hiking. I don't need high speed lenses on the 645Z. The K1 will handle the wildlife shots.

I will try to post some worthy FA 645 300 5.6 pictures in the next few days.
Thanks,
barondla

---------- Post added 06-02-20 at 10:45 AM ----------

Important development! The 1.4X teleconverter FITS the FA 645 300 5.6. The 300 rear element is recessed quite a bit and handles the 1.4X converter's protruding front element with ease. There is no side rubbing either. If the two play nice together optically, I'll be a very happy camper. My ultra small and light "400 ish" dream lens may be a reality. Will do some test shots and post the results.

pid · 06-02-2020, 10:53 AM

The A*300/4 is a realy fine lens and tak sharp from f5.6 on. It is the smallest 300 tele ever build with nice bokeh and rendering. Only flaw is the closest distance is 4m. So a extension tube 13mm or 20mm is good to have. Best the Kenko Pz-AF Uniplus tube 25 with its A-contacts.

**yurihuta** · 06-26-2020, 11:33 AM

Originally posted by texandrews

Reviews a little sparse (and some old) on this, wonder if there are opinions among users here. I have the former, but wondering about trading and acquiring the latter (for one thing, it has a foot, weird omission on the former...).

Hi Tex,
I have the A* 300 and purchased a lens collar that was meant for a telescope, but it appears to fit the A* very well.
Also, if you are considering the FA 300MM F/5.6, then save your money and buy my FA 150-300mm f/5.6 instead -- seriously.
Hope you are well.
Yuri

texandrews · 06-27-2020, 08:04 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by yurihuta

Hi Tex,
I have the A* 300 and purchased a lens collar that was meant for a telescope, but it appears to fit the A* very well.
Also, if you are considering the FA 300MM F/5.6, then save your money and buy my FA 150-300mm f/5.6 instead -- seriously.
Hope you are well.
Yuri

Thanks for reaching out, Yuri---here and by email. We'll be talking more!

06-02-2020, 07:18 AM	#1
texandrews Moderator Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Baltimore Photos: Albums Posts: 3,390	*Opinions sought: older 300 A f4 vs the FA 300 f5.6** Reviews a little sparse (and some old) on this, wonder if there are opinions among users here. I have the former, but wondering about trading and acquiring the latter (for one thing, it has a foot, weird omission on the former...).

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06-02-2020, 07:35 AM	#2
SteveinSLC Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2017 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 568	I have the A* 300. Certainly very happy with it. Typical A* construction. Metal, solid, and heavy. Butter smooth focusing action. Much smoother than my FA 400 is in manual mode. It doesn't have a tripod foot, so I purchased a Neewer long lens support. I've never held an FA 300 so can't really compare, but if you don't need AF, I'd have no hesitation recommending the A*.

06-02-2020, 08:22 AM	#3
barondla Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: midwest, United States Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,714	My FA 645 300 5.6 just arrived. As already mentioned there's no tripod foot. The lens is so small and light weight it may not need one. If it does there are options available. The FA 80-160 is heavier than this lens. The biggest minus, for me, is the incompatibility with the 1.4X rear converter. I love the 300mm focal length on ff and crop cameras. Worried that it might seem a little short on 645. The 1.4X would fix that. The 300 f4 lenses all work with the converter, but weigh considerably more and are heavy for hiking. I don't need high speed lenses on the 645Z. The K1 will handle the wildlife shots. I will try to post some worthy FA 645 300 5.6 pictures in the next few days. Thanks, barondla ---------- Post added 06-02-20 at 10:45 AM ---------- Important development! The 1.4X teleconverter FITS the FA 645 300 5.6. The 300 rear element is recessed quite a bit and handles the 1.4X converter's protruding front element with ease. There is no side rubbing either. If the two play nice together optically, I'll be a very happy camper. My ultra small and light "400 ish" dream lens may be a reality. Will do some test shots and post the results.

06-02-2020, 10:53 AM	#4
pid Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 567	The A*300/4 is a realy fine lens and tak sharp from f5.6 on. It is the smallest 300 tele ever build with nice bokeh and rendering. Only flaw is the closest distance is 4m. So a extension tube 13mm or 20mm is good to have. Best the Kenko Pz-AF Uniplus tube 25 with its A-contacts.

06-26-2020, 11:33 AM	#5
yurihuta Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Washington DC, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 632	Originally posted by texandrews Reviews a little sparse (and some old) on this, wonder if there are opinions among users here. I have the former, but wondering about trading and acquiring the latter (for one thing, it has a foot, weird omission on the former...). Hi Tex, I have the A* 300 and purchased a lens collar that was meant for a telescope, but it appears to fit the A* very well. Also, if you are considering the FA 300MM F/5.6, then save your money and buy my FA 150-300mm f/5.6 instead -- seriously. Hope you are well. Yuri

06-27-2020, 08:04 AM - 1 Like	#6
texandrews Moderator Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Baltimore Photos: Albums Posts: 3,390 Original Poster	Originally posted by yurihuta Hi Tex, I have the A* 300 and purchased a lens collar that was meant for a telescope, but it appears to fit the A* very well. Also, if you are considering the FA 300MM F/5.6, then save your money and buy my FA 150-300mm f/5.6 instead -- seriously. Hope you are well. Yuri Thanks for reaching out, Yuri---here and by email. We'll be talking more!